We haven't yet been able to find out much more about this very recent development. But, the gist of it seems to be that Japanese researchers have dramatically lowered the energy needed to "break open", as it were, the Carbon Dioxide molecule, and thus make it's components available for recombination with other elements for more efficient recycling.
We've no idea what the genuine utility of potassium formate - formic acid - as below, might be, although quick searches reveal that it is employed in the manufacture of vinyl, and there seems to be a significant international trade in it, with most suppliers seemingly based in China. But, we are including an additional link and excerpt, following, from the international chemical giant, BASF, detailing some of formic acid's uses, one of which is somewhat interesting.
As follows:
"Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide using Ir(III)-pincer complexes.
Tanaka, R.; Yamashita, M.; Nozaki, K.
Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009 Oct 14;131(40):14168-9.
Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in aqueous potassium hydroxide was performed using a newly synthesized isopropyl-substituted PNP-pincer iridium trihydride complex as a catalyst. Potassium formate was obtained with turnover numbers up to 3,500,000 and a turnover frequency of 150,000 h(-1), both of which are the highest values reported to date."
And, herein are some of formic acid's current commercial applications:
Worldwide Applications
From the traditional pickling of leather to highly advanced pharmaceutical syntheses, BASF formic acid is indispensable in numerous applications.
From the traditional pickling of leather to highly advanced pharmaceutical syntheses, BASF formic acid is indispensable in numerous applications.
Chemical Intermediate
Formic acid is an intermediate in the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals such as caffeine, enzymes, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, plant protection agents, PVC-plasticizers and rubber antioxidants.
Formic acid is an intermediate in the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals such as caffeine, enzymes, antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, plant protection agents, PVC-plasticizers and rubber antioxidants.
Dyeing/Pickling
In the dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers, formic acid regulates the pH and is also used to help waterproof textiles. In the leather industry, formic acid is used in the dyeing process, for pickling, deliming and as an auxiliary in the tanning process.
In the dyeing of natural and synthetic fibers, formic acid regulates the pH and is also used to help waterproof textiles. In the leather industry, formic acid is used in the dyeing process, for pickling, deliming and as an auxiliary in the tanning process.
Silage
Formic acid is used in the preservation of green feed/fodder
Formic acid is used in the preservation of green feed/fodder
Cleaning/Disinfection
Formic acid is used as an active ingredient in commercial cleaning products such as descalers, rust removers, multipurpose cleaners, degreasers and institutional laundry products. In addition, formic acid is used in the disinfection of wood barrels for wine and beer due to its bactericidal properties.
Formic acid is used as an active ingredient in commercial cleaning products such as descalers, rust removers, multipurpose cleaners, degreasers and institutional laundry products. In addition, formic acid is used in the disinfection of wood barrels for wine and beer due to its bactericidal properties.
Flue Gas Desulfurization
An application for formic acid is pH regulation in the Saarberg-Hoelter-Umwelttechnik (SHU) flue gas desulfurization process. Most fossil fuels contain sulfur, which release sulfur dioxide into the air when burned. The SHU process captures this sulfur dioxide by passing the flue gas through an aqueous limestone slurry containing formic acid. The sulfur dioxide reacts with the limestone to form gypsum (calcium sulfate).
An application for formic acid is pH regulation in the Saarberg-Hoelter-Umwelttechnik (SHU) flue gas desulfurization process. Most fossil fuels contain sulfur, which release sulfur dioxide into the air when burned. The SHU process captures this sulfur dioxide by passing the flue gas through an aqueous limestone slurry containing formic acid. The sulfur dioxide reacts with the limestone to form gypsum (calcium sulfate).
Coagulation of Rubber
One of the traditional uses of formic acid is in the coagulation of natural rubber, which is primarily produced in southeast Asia. Latex milk is tapped from rubber trees and is mixed with formic acid to produce the coagulated rubber that is further processed into tires and numerous other rubber products."
One of the traditional uses of formic acid is in the coagulation of natural rubber, which is primarily produced in southeast Asia. Latex milk is tapped from rubber trees and is mixed with formic acid to produce the coagulated rubber that is further processed into tires and numerous other rubber products."
We submit this information in further support of our thesis that the CO2 co-product of our coal use technologies is a raw material whose true, and significant, value we are only beginning to understand. This documented use of it, please keep in mind, is in addition to the Nobel Prize-winning and US Department of Defense-patented technologies, wherein CO2 can be reclaimed and recycled into liquid fuels and chemicals; most especially, methanol: a material of extraordinary value, both in it's own right as a liquid fuel, and, as a starting point from which other fuels, including gasoline, and very useful, and carbon-sequestering, plastics can be manufactured.
And, please note the synergy, above, wherein the formic acid produced from a coal combustion waste can be used to clean up another coal combustion waste, as per formic acid's use in "Flue Gas Desulfurization".